Washington wins overall by ~6% (COL index)
Cost of living: Boston vs Washington (2026)
A $95,000 salary in Boston buys roughly what $89,722 does in Washington (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$911/yr
Favoring Boston for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $76/mo in Boston, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Boston Massachusetts | Washington District of Columbia | Who wins | Your impact at $95K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,400Better | $2,400 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $3,000Better | $3,100 | Boston wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Boston |
| 2BR rent/mo | $4,000Better | $4,200 | Boston wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Boston |
| Median home price | $700K | $650KBetter | Washington wins −$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 110Better | 111 | Boston wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $18Better | $18 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $75Better | $75 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90Better | $100 | Boston wins +$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Better | $3.60 | Boston wins +$0.20 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Better | $185 | Boston wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Boston |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185Better | $190 | Boston wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70Better | $75 | Boston wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $90K | $100KBetter | Washington wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0%Wins | 5.8% | Boston wins +0.8 pp | $760/yr saves in Boston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.3% | 6.0%Better | Washington wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $17.00Better | $17.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $60Better | $65 | Boston wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $8.00Better | $8.50 | Boston wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 162 | 153Better | Washington wins -9 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 80Better | 77 | Boston wins -3 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Washington fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Washington.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Frequently asked questions
Is Boston cheaper than Washington?
No. Washington is 6% cheaper than Boston based on overall cost of living indices (153 vs 162, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Boston vs Washington?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Boston is $3,000/month and in Washington is $3,100/month. Boston is cheaper by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Washington to match a $75,000 salary in Boston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $70,833/year in Washington to match a $75,000 salary in Boston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Boston or Washington?
Boston has the lower state income tax rate at 5% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.8 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Boston to Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Washington offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Boston ↔ Washington
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